The Abergavenny Mail

RELIABD AND BAGATELLE TABLES A Lup Stock of How and Smsd-hud Tabl- sjwaya an hMd: <JM OMtvwMbh Billiard Md Dining 3?M? W?tt<BfLi?.O.Mw<t?.lS4KiB<ttM?tM..K.K

WORK AND WORKERS. I A National Association of Bank Clerks haA been formed for the United Kingdom for the promotion of the interests of bank clerks of all grades. The association is controlled by an executive committee in London composed of representatives of most of the leading joint- stock and other banks. It is proposed shortly to form provincial branches of the association. The Barry seamen and firemen, who are pro- testing against. the employment of Chinamen on British ships in the port, have passed a re- solution calling for a national strike in order to deal effectively with the question throughout the United Kingdom. The joint board of the Labour Parties has passed a resolution at the House of Commons repudiating what is described as The Turf Pool Syndicate." and dissociating the whole Labour movement from it. The syndicate in question is an organisation with which a, num- ber of Labour men are associated, having for its object the formation of a sweepstake or turf lottery in which workmen are specially invited to take part, one of the ind ucements held out being that from the profits a large sum is guaranteed to be paid over for objects to be defined by the Labour Party. Lotteries being illegal in this country, the headquarters ef the Syndicate are in Switzerland. Great surprise has been caused by the ap- parently permanent closing down of the Kil- finan Copper Mine, in Argyllshire. Some days ago a large consignment of ore, totalling 1,400 bags, was despatched, and the works were then closed down for, it was understood, a short period. The workmen, how-over, have now been informed that their services will not be required, and they are leaving the district. Two years ago samples sent to Swansea were said to show a large percentage of copper. The printers of Buxton have for some time past been endeavouring to secure an increase in wages. A memorial was. presented in August last to the directors of the two print- ing firms in the town, but notices to cease work have now been tendered. The present rate of wages in Buxton came mto operation twelve years ago, and the printers hold that their earnings are quite inadequate to meet the changed conditions in the cost of living in an expensive town like Buxton. They are the only trade in the town, they say, who have not had an increase in wages during the past few years. A conference representative of tradea councils and textile organisations in Lanca- shire and Yorkshire, and officials of the Lanca- shire and Yorkshire and London and North- Western Railway Companies, was held at Blackpool on Saturday, to consider the ques- tion of arranging the dates of the annual holi- days, with the object of avoiding congestion and consequent discomfort, particularly dur- ing Aug Hot. The discussion showed that in many districts there exists a. strong desire for the transference of the August holidays into June or July. Representatives of the Lanca- shire and Yorkshire and the London and North Western Railway Companies gave assurances that the railways were naturally a.nxious to assist the movement to distribute holidays generally over the summer. A reso- lution was unanimously adopted recommend- ing the Executive of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Fed?r:,r!s of Trades Councils to get the opin'.c-n of the various C rvmcils repre- sented by that organ isation on the proposals. A difficulty has arisen with regard to the suggested alteration of the Blackburn holi- day date from August to June. Following the publication of the ballot of affiliated societies taken by the Trades and Labour Council, when 6.785 voted for no change in the holidays, 7.083 for July, and 13,620 for June, a deputation was appointed to wait upon the Cotton Trade Employers' Associa- tion for Blackburn with the object of obtain- ing their provisional consent to the change voted for. The employers, however, ex- pressed their disagreement with the pro- posal, and made the alternative that, instead of having j he annual holidays during the first fl1!r we ok nfter the August Bank Holidoy. be 11"" in Bank Holiday week. It i-: r,o' rr,' •• -1 tt:!t ;11; will be generally ace ir ■!«' rv. to the June proposal is 1 \t»t the part of drsma 1- -r«. »•<« they say it Wi)!d interfere scri«ui.«y with their seasonal trad.? Lord Knaresborough, at the North Eastern meeting at York, said that with a view to filling post-s the officers of the line took ftops to select a number of the most promising young men from the clerical staff, while they also took into the service a limited number of picked men from outside, preferably those who had been educated at a public school or university. For both these groups of men, w hom thev termed traffic apprentices." they provided a .special course of training to give them as wide an experience as possible. With regard to general managers, all the board could do was to look ahead, and try to ensure that they had always at lea-t one or two men capable, if necessity arose, of assuming the management. Hitherto they had been successful, and they were in that position to-day. The conference of locomotive men on the North-Eastern Railway was held at Newcastle on Sunday. Mr. J. E. Williams, general secretary of the National Union of Railway- men. had been asked to call the gathering, but declined, and it was convened by Mr. Sleigh, locomotive representative on the Con- cilia-tioit Board. The meeting lasted eight hours, and attention was devoted largely to wages of firemen and electric train drivers, and to points of dispute which have arisen in connection with the interpretation of the re- cent settlement. These include in particular the, extension by the company of the system of lodging men away from home, which is much objected to. A denotation of five was eventu- ally appointed to deal with these points, and to wait on Mr. Raven, locomotive superinten- dent, and if necessary Sir Alexander Butter- worth, to urge that firemen should not be em- ployed on high capacity engines at 3- Od. a day. that electric drivers should have their pay raised from the present 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d.. per day. and to put forward points on behalf of the lower-paid locomotive men generally. On behalf of the 7,000 riveters of the Tyne, Wear, and Blyth districts, the Boilermakers' Society on Saturday tendered seven days' notice to the employers for the men to cease work. The men' call for a speeding up of the preparation of the new price list. They gave a month's notice three weeks ago, but the em- ployers declined to accept the notice on a technicality. Saturday's notice indicates the .determination of the men with regard to the question at issue. Colliery engine-winders and stokers through- out South Staffordshire and East Worcester- shire handed in fortnight's notices on Satur- day in consequence of alleged breaches of an agreement, notably at the Earl of Dudley's pits, in paying enginemen a lower rate than they claim they are entitled to. The position is rendered serious by the fact that the miners in the whole of the area, numbering 11.000, -are pledged to support the winders. Plumbers at Nelson, dissatisfied with wages, came out on strike on Saturday and joined the Colne painters, who are locked out after striking, and the Colne and Nelson iron- workers. who are on strike. Addressing a gathering of teachers al Grimsby on Saturday, Sir James Yoxall said unless conditions were improved the teachers of Lindsey, especially those who lived in Clee- thorpes, would refuse to work. The Govern- ment had given a pledge that this session legislation would be proposed for the purpose of finding educational grants for the relief of local authorities, but he knew it was already arranged that the money was not to be given to local authorities who had not already done their duty out of the rates. Herefordshire and Lindsey would be penalised because they had Hot done their duty in the past.

PAST BEHIND TIIE SANDWICH-BOARD. I It was stated at a City inquest on Monday I concerning the death of a sandwichman who I cornm:tted suicide, t.h?t clergymen, solicitors, and University men had been known to carry I Modwich-bo&rda in Loqdou.

HIS PRINCIPLES. THE YEARS BILL Ilk COST OF MAfNTAl tvi N& OUR MFMZKETS LJ" iw WHAT WE PAY WHAT THE FOREIQNER PAYS Jr cost of PNIAVY Socoo. COST OF ARM Y2g,ooo.oo of NOTHING ?!!t!S?B!S? ??? CIVIL ???'?? -?? /.?:o?o<? Othbk ??? itBtBES??BNB?? or?p??<?-/=n/?c?y?o?<o.? ?))'???- 0rA L- :£/93,;00 CoO I"1 JOHN BULL :—Why do you not put some figures down on the other side P GEORGIEIt's against my Free Trade principles, Sir, which are: "let the Foreigner do the job and we'll do the paying."

CHIPS OF NEWS. I The death is announced of Lord Minto, ad- ministrator and soldier, in his sixty-ninth year. Prolonged difficulty has arisen in respect to the appointment of a pastor for the French Protestant Church in London. A daring robbery from a mail van took place in the business quarter of Paris on Saturday morning, the whole Bourse sack" being carried off. General Carranza, the Mexican rebel leader has refused to admit the right of the United States to inquire into the death of Mr. Benton on the ground that he was a British subject. The War Office have issued a warning against military kites to aeroplane pilots flying at Farnborough. The death is announced from Ottawa of the Hon. Charles Ramsay-Devlin, Minister of Colo- nisation, Mines, and Fisheries in the Quebec Government. He formerly represented Galway in the House of Commons. The King has approved the appointment of the Rev. Herbert K Jones. Honorary Canon of St. Albans, to b" Bishop Suffrugan of Lewes, in succession to the Right Rev. L. II. Burrows, appointed to the Bishopric of Sheffield. In a disused well at Newthorpe, Nottingham- shire, a coal seam has been found. Some of Mr. Alfred Trapneli's famous collec- tion of china is to be dispersed at C hristie Working men contributed £ 20,129 14s. lOd. to the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary during last year. Sir Frank Mappin has sent £1,000 towards the Sheffield Radium Fund, which now amounts to over dM.OOO. Mr. Lloyd George naa fiiformed the president of the Cambridge Union Society that ks Par- liamentary duties will prevent his attending, as promised, on March 10th, and the debate has accordingly been cancelled- Messrs. W. II. Smith and Son, one of the largest employers of boy labour in the country, have sent a cheque of < £ 500 to Sir R. Baden- Powell for his Boy Scout Endowment Fund. Speaking at the annual dinner of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, at Ilkeston, on Saturday, Colonel Seelv announced that his Maiestv had agreed to the appointment of a committee in order to try to effect a fusion of the work of the St. John's Brigade and the Red Cross Society. The police were notified on Saturday of the death at Banbury of a thirteen-year-old girl named French, who was knocked down by a motor-car on Friday at Mollington four cross roads. John Panther, uged sixty-seven, a commercial traveller, of Gubyon-avenue, Herne Hill, wa taking orders at an outfitter's shop in Lower Marsh. Lambeth, when he fell dead. It wa: proved at the inquest that death was due tc heart, disease. After beinif remanded no fewer than four- teen times, Pat Ryan and Pat Hegarty were, at Ennis, on Saturday, committed for trial at the Assizes, charged with murdering John Kildea at Derrymore on November 30th. Mr. Gustav Hamel looped the loop five times at Worcester on Saturday, with the Countess of Dudley as passenger. Once he performed the feat 200ft. from earth, a record. He also looped sideways. At an inquest at Lambeth a medical man said tha.t ptomaine poisoning was very difficult, to puard against because the germs were not killed by boiling. A fast train on Saturday morning ran over five platelayers near Magdeburg, Neustadt Station, instantly killing four of the men and mortally injuring the fifth Frau Wentzel Ileckmann. a well-known patron of learning and letters, who died re- cently, has left legacies amounting to LICG,OCO for various philanthropic purpose-s, It is reported from Shanghai that an agree- ment has been entered into with the British Marconi Company to instal a series of stations with a minimum range of 2,000 miles. The death took place on Saturday evening of Mr. Charles Nathaniel Brown, one of the best- known men in public and political life at Yar- 1 l e had be*ji Mavor, mouth, aged fifty-pvrn. He had been Mayor, Town Councillor. Alderman, Magistrate, Har- bour Commissioner, educationalist, and hospital governor. Owing to a dispute arising out of the scheme to provide statues of Welsh heroes for Cardiff C'itv Hall, the Royal Society of British Sculp tors farmed with a crisis. ♦

LHJiMlSTS AND "INVALID PORT." j That the sale of "invalid port" by chemists I was very undesirable was the unanimous deci- sion on Monday of the Eastbourne magistrates. ALDERMAN'S XS2,000 FOR CHARITY. I Public bequests to the amount ot iK»2,UUU I were left by the late Alderman Henry lJaui- I ttoa of Blackburn, who died last week. MAJOR'S DEATH IN TRAMWAY-CAR. I Major Alexander McCulloch, aged seventy- four, formerly quartermaster at Chatham Mili- tary Engineering School, died suddenly on Monday in a trainway-car at Gillingham, Kent. NEW WIRELESS EXPERIMENTS. I ? I New experiments in wireless are snortiy to be made by Signor Marconi in the Mediter- I ranean. from where, says Reuter, it is hoped to establish communication with London. PREPARED FOR ANYTHING. I When Ben Gosckn, ag eighte-en, was re- manded at Chertsey on a charge of theft, it was stated that two pi-stols, cartridges, two daggers, a life prcsprvoT> and P, catapult were found in his possession. LESSON AT TOMB-SIDE. j Twenty thousand schoolchildren at Swansea 1 on Monday celebrated St. David's Day, some visiting the tombs of notable men and women in the parish church, where little leasona were g iven by teachers. — «. —

-The naughty boy of the class came into school half an hour late. He apologised to the lady teacher, and, pulling an orange from his pocket, gracefully proffered it as a pro- pitiatory gift. Just a trifle to his surprise it was promptly accepted and put into the teacher's desk. When dinner-time arrived the youiig man showed reluctance to depart. Th. teacher, with covert amusement, watched him as he awkwardly hung about, and finally inquired, Well, Tommy, why don't you go?" Want me orange," lie muttered. Yi/ur orange? Why. you gave it to me. You said you had brought it for me," exnng- tuhiced the teaelier. Yes," admitted tit- yoinigster, aggrieved, "but yer knowed I was tiny kiddin'

(3vuhMnSiSL i,1 By test Ledwod the beat* Foot TroahlesEtnJeJ Women who suffer from any foot T trouble, whatsoever, can find imme- <\ <A diate and permanent relief by wearing the Scholl "Foot-Eazer". Such foot i S ailments as weak ankles, tired or aching feet and I m ?y?t limbs, corns, bunions or callouses, find just the 1 ? v j r 1 right sort of relief. Others who have high arches ? ??y t 1 and are unable to get shoes that give the proper 1^ ?a I support will find rest in the f^\ L Scholl "Foot-Eazer" Heavyweight persons, and those con- V i tinually on their feet, will find ease and y y comfort by continually wearing the If 1 j Scholl "Foot-Eazer". Made of | lln^L J leather and German silver springs, | II /eHL. a light, comfortable, easy to wear, and L t j j can be changed from one pair of shoes to another. Sold on 10 days VJL [L|1H^ T JR trial. /L A Price 7/6 per pair. CZ..J Write for our free Booklet f "CARE OF FEET." J The SCHOLL Mfg. Co. Ltd., 2-9, Giltspur St., London, E.C. DIABETES B Bt Sufferers should use either FARWELL ML<S and RHINES' CRESCO FLOUR 7d. per lb. DIETEl IC FOOD atd per lb. or SPECIAL GLUTEN FLOUR 11- per lb., carriage not paid These cereals are recommended by the Medical Profession. Sample of either sent on receipt of 3d.forpost- age. Particulars from Agents: H. H. WARNER & Co.. Ltd.. 18-20, LAYSTALL STREET. LONDON, ALL TRADESMEN SHOULD READ THIS:— w. are manufacturers of CHECK TILL ROLLS and can supply as under:-Rolls for the GLEDHILL TILLS, 2r 12/6. Si".18/ 5i" 30/ Voucher, 2" 30/ 1" 18/ O'BRIEN'S. Ii" 22/ 31" 33/ 4i 36/- per gross, Voucher 30/ Other Till Rolls same prices. NATIONALS, Check Rolls, 11" 26/- per gross, 14" 30/ Detail Rolla from 7/- per gross upwards. All carriage paid. Counter Ticket Check Books. 1,000 checks per Book 30/ 500 checks 18/- Toilet Rolls from 15/- per gross, 12 oz. Rolls. 8SLL??S PATENTS. LTD.. S¡;i!.er8f:l!n l: OLLEY'S iUt Rot) Manufacturer*. EstaMithed 198) Origi .1 Cash I'Ul Roll Manuf?turers. Z,tbli.h?d 188) CANADIAN PACIFIC. fast UK to Cag*. N Services from Liverpool and Belfast Luxurious M accommodation in all classes at moderate fares. ■ N Only four days open sea. For Sailings, Pamph- t M lets and information as to OPPORTUNITIES M M in CANADA, apply to 62-65, Charing Cross. ■ N LONDON, S.W., 67-68, King William St., LON- ■ M DON, E.C., Royal Liver Building, LIVERPOOL, ■ N 18, St. Augustine'sParade,BRISTOL, 120. St.Vin- ■ cent St.. GLASGOW. 41, Victoria St., BELFAST. COALS FROM TRE PIT ITKPCK LOAM at WHOLESALE BATES 9 ? CMTMge Paid to any Railway StatMa. B N J RWOOD & CO., LTD RB CM tractors le B M. "araneol  N GUtf Ojften: (I. Uwtltti Bmt, Khf's Cr#ss, IMMN, W C. N Ftto— aad list of UttiironiaU »n &P p" .Iff ???tTc.T& «i mm 111 mil mi U B n?dowWdchsFtm?Pit? tFKmBtMdreMaMtferLtdi?. The wily Otonia*. Awarded j t CRRTinCATZ ot MERIT M th* TMm<? aa mddbdt-. 1891. t t 100 Yean' Bep-tttie* OtdMtd ?r apt«h?tMtt fr ?M Cu. -f t tmU F<mth Complaint!. M< ia to?.Tl/lK M«/t. of *t) (Ibembft. or post lvfrom CATHERINE KEARSLEY (KPT. 0), 42.Waterloo Rd.Londbn.S.E. MAYPOLEEA 1/4 IVI The Vftry 'TSeelt- 11 ■■ TOBACCO I CIGARS I CIURETTES Er»ry known Bn? *t MttM)fM?<M'wwm 1? rrioal Zndi? vwi*W •(MMM' ?M? Gooda aacI B- ftI8" Opening ord? a soodeft. I"& 8INOLKTOK A OL? T?T  "? I" SAFE INVESTMENT ==== Fourth City Mutual Benefit Building Society Z COLEMAN STREET, LONDON AIIIIII. credit If Investors, mr £ 500.009 SHARES NOW BEING ISSUED AT oS: This Society during the 51 ycui «f its existence has never paid lea than 4X per annum to its SharsholderL AI litcrest Is PAM IY OM stcMy hi « taw IlL DEPOSITS received at 81 and 4%. Balance Sheet and Prospectus « application. J. BIGHA. Mmmgtr. | DELICIOUS COFFEE. ED WHITE & L E I For Breakfast A after Dinner. IO/6 1 THIS INTERESTS TOD! | I Rook. Rabbit or Tarc't Rifle fnr Lo? g fl Range Accur.te Shooting. Rij\ barr1. S '? naM T ut fir t adjustable backsight, perfmt c muise 1 3 l"tractor. Ac uracVgrantee 10 g rriatfe t a d 6d. .xt* Ctrtritj?M rom p ?? AN' '\IN Co., B ;d.re w1Ittfn S.ick Gun 12/6 Ai mks, WOO. NGun?/fi. Dtl? Barre Bre c?f.. ad r< 3 '<r!WTnTKMN<!) !m)<!t)!!)Mt!t?t! <<M«m.wJ Millinery Materials Buy from LONDON and buy cheaper. Our Spo- cialities for tn,' coming season inc'udo Straw and Crinoline Plaits, Sequin TriBuniugs.TBllas, Lac. a. fhiffoas. Nets, Velvets, etc. samples 01 any fines froo on appJic?ion. Send us Particu- lars of your requirements. We cut lengiha for match mg. W hoJeaaJ.e only. B. STERN & CO. 14-18. OLD STRF.T. B. STERN & ?V., LONBON E C?

I MARKETS. I LONDON CORN, MONDAT.—ENGLISH WHEAT. -There was a fair trade to report at late rates, and the market was steady: White milling lots ranged up to 35s. 6d., and red ditto up to 34s. 6d. per qr. FOREIGN WHEATS.—The market was firm, especially for Canadian samples, and quotations were epmetimes 3d. to 6d. up on the week; No. I Northerns, 38s. 3d.; No. 2 ditto, 37s. 9d.; Plates (new), 37s. 6d. ex ship arrived; Russians, 34s. upwards; Indians, 38s. 3d. landed. MAIZK.—There was only a light inquiry to re- port, but sellers did not lower prices: Plate, 24s. 3d.; South Russian, 23s. 3d. to 23s. 6d. up- wards landed. OATS.-The market ruled slow but ifrm, with prices rather higher on the week: Plates, 15s. 6d.; Danubians, 15s. 6d.; Chilians, 18s. &d.; Canadians, 18s. 3d. upwards; Petersburgs, 17s.; heavy Russians, 22s. upwards landed. BARLEY. —- Grinding and feeding barleys cleared slowly at full rates: South Russian was held for 20s. 9d. landed. Malting and grinding barleys showed steadiness, but were without activity: English, 28s. to 37s.; Hungarian and Bohemian, 34s. 6d. to 42s.; brewing Californian, 32s. 6d. to 36s.; Chevalier Chilian, 36s. to 40s. per 4481b. BEANS AND PEAS.—Trade was ateady without activity. LONDON FLOUR, MONDAT.-The market ehowed steadiness, and late rates were well maintained, the tendency being in sellers' favour: English Town-made Patents, 27s. 6d. to 29s. 6d.; ditto Country-made, 25s. to 27s.; American Patents, 27s. 6d. to 29s. 6d. ditto Bakers'. 23s. 6d. to 25s. 6d. per sack. LONDON CATTLE, MONDAT.-Beast entries on to-day's market numbered 840, an increase of 40 compared with last Monday. Trade ruled slow, but rates were maintained for fine bul- locks Scotch. 5s. 2d. to 5s. 4d.; Devons, 5s. to 5s. 2d.; exceptionally, 5s. 4d.; Norfolks, 5s. to 5s. 2d.; Shorthorns, 4. 8d. to 5s. Fat slaughtering cows and bulls cleared steadily. The former were quoted 3s. lOd. to 4s. 2d., and the latter 3s. 8d. to 4s.; ( exceptionally, 4s. 2d. Twenty milch cows offered, and the quotation for the best was R23 eac hi Four thousand five hundred and ninety sheep were penned in the market, an increase of 1,200. Trade, though slow, was steady as follows: Best Down tegs, 6s. 6d. to 6s. lOd.; best half-breds, 6s. to 6s. 4d.; best Down ewes, 4s. lOd. to 5s. 2d.; lambs, 7s. to 7s. 4d. per stone. Five calves offered, but trade was too small to quote. LONDON MEAT, MONDAY.—Trade quiet; supplies moderate: Beef. English, 4s. 2d. to 4s. 6d.; American, 3s. lOd. to 4s. 2d.; Scotch, 4s. 4d. to 5s.: Argentine, 3s. 4d. to 3s. 8d. Mutton, English, 4s. lOd. to 5s. 4d.; ewes, 3s. 8d. to 4s. Scotch ewes, 3s. 8d. to 4s. tegs, 510. 2d. to 6s.: New Zealand, 3s. to 3s. 4d. Lamb, English, 6s. 4d. to 7s. 4d.; New Zealand, 4s. to 4s. 6d. Veal, 4s. 8d. to 6s. Pork, 4s. 2d. tfe 5s. per stone. LONDON PROVISIONS, MONDAY.—Butter firm: Danish, 122s. to 126s.; Normandy, 118s. to 1308.; Australian, 100s. to 118s.: New Zea- land. 112s. to 120s.; Argentine, 108s. to 114s.; Russian, 108s. to 114s. per cwt. Cheese firm: Canadian, 66s to 70s.: Dutch, 60s. to 74s. per cwt. Bacon steady: Irish, 66s. to 80s.; Conti- nental. 56s. to 70s. per cwt. Hams slow: Ameri- can, 66s. to 78s. per cwt. Eggs quiet. LONDON POTATO, MONDAY.-Trado ruled steady for moderate supplies. Quotations: Lincolns, 65s. to 75s.; King Edwards, 65s. to 75s.; Kents and Essex, 50s. to 65s.; Siltlands, 60s. to 75s.; Blacklands, 45s. to 55s. per ton. BRADFORD WOOL, MONDAY.—In view of the advanced rates at the London sales to-mor- row, the market here is very 6rm. Topmakera are still keen for wool, as they have big wants to fill: and keen competition is expected at Coleman-stroet, where prices are expected to be from 74 to 10 per cent. dearer. English wools are selling freely, and country prices have been out up above this market.

t TRADE UNIONS & SPORT. Our readers interested in the national sport of horse-racing will doubtless welcome the announcement that the Prize Distribution of P-10,000 on the Lincolnshire Handicap organized by the well-known Turf Pool Syndicate of Geneva, Switzerland, is being held with the full approval and support of organized labour. No fewer than ten prominent Trade Union leaders will attend the drawing, and a substantial sum wi!! be allotted by the Turf Pool Syndicate to such Traile Uniyns as shall lie decided upon by the Labour Leaders present at the Draw. Those "A Id. Post Card full ♦

Two women friends, who had not seen each other for some time, met at a tea-shop. Mrs. Brown could not resist the opportunity of dragging in allusions to motoring. "I simply adore it," she exclaimed. I couldn't do without our darling little machine. It is a six cylinder, you know, with improved clutches, a self-starter, and things like that. I should think you would get one." We have got one," answered Mrs. Green, with a happy little smile. We have had it for some time." "Yon don't really mean it!" returned Mrs. Brown, just a trifle jealously. What make is it?" "It is a light-running lock- stitch," answered Mrs. Green, with a hem- mer, tucker, and a buttonhole attikchmout.1

10 <6 S <

I AGRICULTUKAL NOTES. I BY A PRACTICAL FARMER. I A MAMMOTH SHOW. I have frequent proof, in the shape of letters, that, this column is read in some of the remotest parts of the Empire, and it is not an uncommon thing to be told that vari- ous notes have proved to be helpful. A letter from New South Wales, received le- cently, contains particulars of the annual show held at Sydney under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Somh Wales. This appears to be one of the most important exhibitions of its kind in the world, its daily attendance sometimes exceed- ing 100,000 people. It is stated that the -ome of t.ii-e finest tthow-ground contaill some of the finest buildings for the display of livestock and produce to be found m any country. The prize money this year exceeds £ 7.000. The rapid growih of this remarkable show reflects the wonderful strides made in New South Wales. Each year there is a great in- crease in the number of exhibits and a marked improvement in quality. Some weeks before and after the show the railway service of the State is largely given over to the transport of thoroughbred stock and farm produce. A good feature of the exhibition— which is held during the Easter holidays—is the extraordinary interest, taken in it by the people of Sydney. Indeed, it is to a great extent responsible for the large num bers cf business and professional men's sons who a"e choosing the land for a calling. I COTTAGERS AND PIG KEEPING. It is probably the gospel of self-help which will do more to improve the farm labourer's position than what others can do for him. But others can inspire him with co-operative ideas, by the practical adoption of which he may add appreciably to his earnings, and perhaps utilise profitably the waste which is to be found even in some of the poorest households. I have been interested to read in the Field particulars of a small experiment initiated by Mr. J. Danvers Power. Thurloxton Manor, Taunton, to encourage pig-keeping in vil- lages. Five cottagers agreed to supply and deliver their cooked refuse food for a. penny a bucket. Arrangements were made with one of the co-operators to provide the use of a sty, utensils, and straw, and to do all the necessary work of feeding and cleaning for a shilling a week and the manure. Two pigs, eleven weeks old, were purchased at a cost of k2 16s. During the. nineteen weeks from October 2nd last that the pigs were in hand they consumed 142 buckets of refuse, costing lie. 10d., and other food, meal, &c., to the value of X3 12s. 9d. The total outlay, there- fore, after paying the pig keeper 19s., was X7 19s. 7d. The pigs were sold for £ 10, leav- ing a gross profit of £ 2 Os. rxt. Excluding questions of interest and insur- ance, it appears that, at present prices, and, at any rate during the winter months, food refuse in country villages can be made to pro- duce 4Jd. a bucket. It may be added that the profit was divided among the co-operators in proportion to the number of buckets each had supplied, and was paid in bacon pur- chased from the butcher who bought the pigs. • • • CO-OPERATIVE PIG INSURANCE. The insurance of farm stock is undoubtedly best undertaken by oo-operative societies, and some which have been in existence many years have an excellent record to show, and, despite the inevitable claims, have been able to place and keep themselves OIl a sound financial basis. The authorities have done well to issue a set of model rules for a rural co-operative pig iu- surance society registered under the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, which should prove useful not only to pig owners contemplating the for- mation of a society, but also to clubs which are already in existence. The rules in question have been divided into two parts, the more important rules from the point of view of the ordinary member being contained in Part I., which deals prin- cipally with membership, contributions, mark- ing of pigs for insurance, inspection of di- seased or injured pigs, valuation, benefits and liability of society, liability of members, in- surance fund, aii-d miriageme-iit fund. Paj*t II. deals with such subjects as the general meet- ings, the committee and officers, the applica- tion and investment of funds, penalties and fines, anid inspection and audit. Similar modd rules have also beeui issued for pig ollubs which may not desire to register themselves under the Act. Either set of rules may be obtained from TMessrs. Wyman and Sons, Limited, 29, Bream's Buildings, Fetter-lane, E. C., price Id. 'I MIDLAND FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE I ASSOCIATION. Excellent progress was reported by Colonel Sir Lancelot Rollesfcon, who presided at the seventh annual meeting of this association, held at Nottingham. During the past year the membership has increa.sed by forty-one, and the numbers on the books now total 660. The turnover for the twelve months was a record, being £ 47,247, an increase compared with 1912 of £ 1,120. The profits were less than the previous year, but were sufficient to allow of a dividend of 5 per cent. being do- clared. But as Sir Lancelot Rolle^ton said, the object of the association was not so much to make a profit as to sell to members the best possible produce at the lowest price. Sir Lancelot Rolleston was again elected president for the eighth consecutive year. a a INFLUENCE OF FOOD ON BUTTER. I This important question has been the sub- ject of care-ful inquiry in Germany, with the following very instructive results, which are worth bearing in mind. It will be seen that while most foods have their value, it is excess of any of them which must be avoided Crushed barley and barley meals influence the quality of butter favourably, as also do malt sprouts and brcWens' grains if fed in a sound condition and in not too large quanti- ties. Crushed oats give the butter a pleasing aromatic and nut-like taste, but if fed in ex- cess they produce soft butter. Wheat bran produces a good batter, but more than 3!lb. per head per day makes the butter soft; it is beet fed as a supplementary ration to foods which give a hard butter. Crushed rye and rye offals in excess produce a coarse, dry butter. Crushed maize and maize offals form good foods for dairy oows, but large quanti- ties result in a soft and often oily butter. Milk fat from crushed buckwheat and buck- wheat offals is very difficult to make into butter. Peas and beans give a white, firm butter with very little odour. Not more than 2ilb. per head per day should be fed to dairy cows, and even then along with foods producing a soft butter. Vetches tend to give a hard and ¡ bitter tasting butter. Cotton-seed meal and ) cake should not be fed in quantities above I 211b. per head per day, or the butter will have a strong, tallow-like taste, and be. very hard and white. Earth nut cake fed to the extent of lib. to 2jlb. per head per day gives the butter a fine aroma and a nut-like taste; larger quantities make the butter soft and cheesy. I CAUSES OF BAD TASTES. I Cocoanut cake is an excellent food for dairy cows, and may be fed in quantity up to 4-,Ib. per head per day; it gives the butter a plea- sant nutty flavour; more of it gives a hard, firm .butter with a taHowy taste. Linseed cake ChfiS a vood Kirfcfcor whioh. linwp,.Pr. bMomM naru ann tattes on a tusie oi linseed oil n more thai) 4.Ub. per head per day are fed to cows. Palm nut cake and m-eal produce a butter of excellent consistency and good taste; butter of exce!!fr)'t(.'o))s] st€Jif-y and good taste; from large quantities a had boricr is obtained. From rape seed oil residues, if more than 21b. per head per day are fed. a butter is pro- duced with an unpleasantly strong taste, a sharp smell, and a soft consistency the butter often tastes fishy and oily aud readily goes rancid. Sesame cake fed atcLe and iJJ large quantities gives a soft and oil., butter, though with other foods and in quantities up to 21b. per head per day the quality of the butter 11J not impaired. The same may be said of sun- flower seed cake. Meat meal, fed in quantities up to 21b. per head per day, has no unfavourable effect on the taste of the butter, while butter from fish meal may have a fishy-oil taste. Fresh and dried sugar-beet slices in moderate quantities produce pale-coloured butter of good quality

I REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE. The month of February has been much milder than usual. The rainfall returns are not yet made up, but are likely to show great differences. The fail has been above an aver- age in parts of the south, and some new land clays are also said to be too heavy with wet to be workable. On the whole, however, there seems little doubt that the greater number of counties have had a fairly dry month and have made good headway with ploughing, drilling, and farm labour generally. The promise of all the crops sown before the end of 1913 is now above an average, and wheat is especially healthy and vigorous. Despite the high Febru- ary temperature, it does not look precocious. The colour, a very good test of health, is excellent. The wheat gradient this week is between Birmingham and Berwick. The far Norfih has been very depressed in its wheat, market ever since September: Birmingham. 32s. 6d.; Berwick, 29s. 4d. range. 3s. 2d. Barley ha-s sold \1211 at Leeds, but badly elsewhere. Probably the Yorkshire city brewers had a special need for good stuff: Leeds, 30s. lid Dorchester, 22s. 9d. range, 8s. 2d. Oats have sold well at Mark-lane. Bristol, and Shrewsbury: Shrewsbury. 23s. 8d. Ber- wick, 17s. 3d. range. 5s. 5d. Mark Lanl Express. I CURRENT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR IN MARK LANE. LONDON Fr-ons. (Cuh ex Town MilL) Top Price per 280 lb. 31/6 Town Whites to 2916 Town Households „ 26/6 No. 2 ZV) 10 Hungarinn Process 32/8 Best American London Ground.. 28/6 London Standard, 80 per cent. 27 /6 COUNTRY FiouR. Caab at London Terminus.) Best Price per 280 lb. 2G 6 Good Patents 24;16 Straights 24/0 Roller Whites 24/3 Stone-Made 23/9 BRITISH GRAIN (OFF STANDS). s. a. Wheat, White per 504 lb. 35 to 37 Red 33 to 36 Rivetta per 480 Th. 32 to 34 Barley, Fine Seed Com per 4491b 36 to 42 Malting per 4481b 33 to 35 Poultry 27 to 29 Feeding per 400tb. 23 to 2fi Malt, English, Best per 336 lb. 43 to 45 „ Fine 40 o 41 „ Ordinary It 37 to 38 Scotch, Fine. „ 41 to 42 „ Ordinary „ 39 to 40 Brown 31 t0 3b Black. to 33 to 37 Crystiill'sed 33 to 39 Oats, Fine Seed Corn 24 to 32 Fine Scotch 1912. 26 to 27 11 1913 24 to 25 Good Gartons, Old to 23 to 24 11 New to 20 to 22 Tartary, Old „ 21 to 22 11 New „ 20 to 21 Winter, Old Black.- „ 23 to 24 „ New „ „ 20 to 22 Old Grey 22 to 23 New „ 30 to 21 Common, New per 3121b. 19 to 20 Inferior. New per 3041b. 18 to 19 Beans, Pigeon, 1911 per 5321b. 54 to 56 1912. 46 to 60 1913. 11 44 to 45 Winter, 1912. „ 35 to 36 11 1913. 33 to 34 Spring, 1912. 37 to 39 1913 „ 36 to 37 Peas, Marrowfats, Fine New per 5041b. 85 to 89 Sound New „ 79 to 81 Yearling 49 to 69 Partridge,Fine „ 36 to 38 „ Common „ 34 to 36 Ma.ple, 1912. 36 to 37 Dun 1913 34 to 35 Rye, Essex per 4801b. 24 to 26 Tares, Spring, 1912. per 5321b. 4<i to 50 Fine, 1913 40 to 42 Common, 1913 „ 33 to 36 Winter, 1912. 46 to 47 Fine, 1913 „ 42 to 46 Common, 1913 „ 347to 40 Gores, igil „ 96 to 103 „ 1912. „ 80 to 88 Fine, 1913 „ 64 to 72 Common, 1913 „ 48 to 56 Buckwheat. Norfolk. per 4001b. 32 to 33 Linaeed, Lincolnshire per 4241b. 52 to 54 Kapeseed, Best New per 4161b. 74 to 15 Common 9, 68 to 70 Mustardand. Brown per 4481b.96 to 108 White 88 to 96 Common 74 to 78 Canarysesd,Ecaex per 4641b. 72 to 74 -Mark Lane 1express.

0 0 0 0 m 0 m '-w-w-w GAMAGE" GREAT "SALE FlaE SALVAGE and STOCKTAKING 3 HUGE STOCKS OFFERED 3 IRISH LINEN COMPANY'S (Regent St. and Branches) Stock of High-grade Collars, Shirts Ho.iery including Great Drapery Bargains in ldiei' Underwear, Lace Collars, etc. 0. gVt a D i%count of 72'1 per cent. off. ANGLO-SAXON COMPANY'S (Newgate Street) Stock of Motor and Cycle Accessories, rofhre& at a Discount of 33 per cent, o,4 Cost P?ice. Mr. CHAKLE? MC?R'ST.L'S (Burlington Arcade) Stock of Leather Fancy Goods and Jewellery toclear at Half-price THOUSANDS OF OTHER BARGAINS 1 A. W. CAMCE. LTID Motto?e. L?NBeN< E.C biAW. Wii. fMi?- SEND FOR LIST AW?JWA

Sporting Cartridges Guaranteed Eley loaded and Always Reliable. My Pheasant" Brand SMOKELESS CARTRIDGES, Specially manufactured for me. 8/6 per 100, Or loaded with Smokeless Diamond Powder, 9/6 per 100. A)"o other Smoke- less Cartridges from 7/6 per 100. VAL PALMER, IRONMONGER, 8, High-Street, LEDBURY.